Course | Description |
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LW 101 Introduction to Law | This course provides the student with an orientation and a working knowledge of the court system and legal structure of the United States and New York State. Specific written, verbal, analytical and conceptual skills associated with legal reasoning are developed using substantive law. The student‘s skills will be developed and defined from case readings, administrative regulations, statutes and bar association guidelines. |
LW 103 Legal Research | Includes the development of basic skills in U.S. and New York State legal research for a working knowledge of the law library as a primary objective. The student will study legal analysis, research and writing skills and strategies, and be introduced to computerized legal research through completion of course projects. |
LW 300 Internet Research for the Professions | Open to students in all majors, the course focuses on teaching students to research effectively in scholarly print and electronic sources available at the Hilbert College Library, on the Internet and in scholarly databases. Students will learn to plan search strategies, locate, evaluate and cite scholarly sources through hands-on research assignments and collaborative learning activities. May be used as research-centered course for Human Services majors. |
LW 302 Introduction to Criminal Law and Procedure | The course provides students with an overview of the New York State Penal Law and how cases are handled in the criminal courts. The distinctions between criminal and civil law are studied. Special emphasis is given to the roles of law enforcement agencies, the courts, lawyers and paralegals. Course topics include crimes against persons and property, criminal responsibility, defenses, rights of the accused, pretrial hearings, trials, sentencing and appeals. Students will engage in a hands-on collaborative project involving the rights of the criminally accused culminating in a mock hearing in class. |
LW 303 Advanced Legal Writing | Students will develop advanced legal analysis and writing skills to complement the basic legal writing and research skills introduced in Legal Research. Special emphasis is given to analyzing authorities, briefing cases, synthesizing sources, interpreting primary sources, applying legal reasoning, organizing and drafting legal memoranda and correspondence. A review of basic legal research skills is offered to assist students as warranted. |
LW 370 Rights, Liberties and Justice: US Constitution | Students will focus on civil rights and Constitutional law, with an emphasis on the 14th Amendment protections of due process and equal protection. Students will examine the role of the judicial branch in the American Constitutional framework using case law and historical events and will study how the legal system has functioned in its role as the final arbiter and protector of individual freedoms. The course topics will emphasize the rights of the criminally accused in the criminal justice system, voting rights and representation, privacy and equality under the Constitution and understanding the Supreme Court decision making process. This course fulfills the American History/Western Civilization General Education requirement. |
LW 407 Advanced Civil Litigation | Students will build on the practical skills developed in Civil Litigation ( LW 207) to develop advanced skills as litigation team members preparing and mock-trying a personal injury case based on a case file from the National Institute for Trial Advocacy . .Students will develop skills in summarizing, organizing, analyzing and preparing evidence for trial. Students will draft subpoenas, witness and exhibit lists, medical and deposition summaries and expert disclosures. Student will practice direct and cross examination of fact and expert witnesses. The course culminates in a mock trial at a local court with students performing the witness and attorney roles. |
LW 410 Child and Family Law | Students will become familiar with the various laws and legal concepts which currently affect family life in the interdisciplinary course. Law and social concerns relevant to marital relationships, parent-child relationships, child custody, family violence and the rights of minors will be examined. Students, particularly those in the helping professions, will become more knowledgeable about the many legal issues surrounding families today. The course is well suited for paralegal, criminal justice and human services students. |